Academic Rigor

I am often asked as an educator of young children, what does academic rigor like for a 4- and 5-year-old. Is there such a thing? This has been an ongoing challenge for most of my career, simply because most people know their ABCs and understand achievement- more than process….and Process is the backbone of every program and curriculum when working with young children. It is our job to guide young children towards mastery, and expose them to the process and practice of skill and concept understanding in every area of development.

So how do you make reading the word “cat” academically rigorous…. well, that is what differentiates our program here at Stuart from other educational communities for early childhood and elementary education. We are masters in the “art” of delivering individualized education to each student. By being EXPERTS in knowing who that child is in that moment of time, how it impacts their experiences and how to provide opportunities that will carefully balance the programmatic needs with their individual learning style and aptitude…. THIS IS what it means to deliver academic rigor in an early childhood/elementary school setting. But academic rigor cannot stand alone. It needs to be deeply rooted and committed to the nurturing and care of a loving environment- that provides every student with a sense of belonging, joy and empowerment. Which is why here at Stuart, I proudly say that we not only honor the development of all young children but provide a stellar academically rigorous program.